Francis Erdelmeyer

Francis "Frank" W. Erdelmeyer (November 2, 1835 – October 16, 1926) was a German-American Turner, businessman, upholsterer, pharmacist, and American Civil War veteran who lived in Indianapolis, Indiana. During his service from 1861 to 1864 in the Union Army, Erdelmeyer served in both the 11th Indiana Infantry Regiment under Lew Wallace and later commanded the 32nd Indiana Infantry Regiment. Erdelmeyer was later involved in the creation of the German-English School Society (1849–1882) of Indianapolis and was elected as the treasurer of Marion County in 1869.

Early life Francis W. Erdelmeyer was born on November 2, 1835, in Herrnsheim in the German city of Worms, then part of the Grand Duchy of Hesse. Erdelmeyer emigrated to New York in 1852 before later settling in Indianapolis by 1858. While in Indianapolis he worked in the upholstery trade under John Ott Sr. of the Ott Lounge Company and belonged to the local Turner club, the Turngemeinde (Gymnastic Society/ Union).

Military service A sketch of Captain Erdelmeyer at Camp Nevin, Kentucky by Adolph G. Metzner c.1861 At the outbreak of the American Civil War Erdelmeyer volunteered for service as a Sergeant in the 11th Indiana Infantry Regiment initially only for 3-months service. Erdelmeyer served in Company E of the 11th Indiana under Captain Dewitt Clinton Rugg. Rugg was later the commander of the 48th Indiana Infantry Regiment. The 11th Indiana Infantry Regiment was initially nicknamed "Wallace's Zouaves" after the regiment's Colonel and commander Lew Wallace.

At the expiration of his initial enlistment in July 1861, Erdelmeyer re-enlisted into the Union Army after raising a company of infantry in Indianapolis nicknamed the "Turner Company" on August 24, 1861, from the local Turnverein. Following Willich's promotion to Brigadier General, Heinrich "Henry" von Trebra would replace Willich as commander. Trebra later died on August 7, 1863, in Arcola, Illinois, from typhoid fever. Erdelmeyer was promoted to the rank of Colonel the following day. Erdelmeyer mustered out with the rest of the regiment on September 7, 1864. In August 1869 Erdelmeyer was elected as the Marion County Treasurer. According to his 1926 obituary in the Indianapolis Times, Erdelmeyer was a Freemason and an active member in both the Grand Army of the Republic and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Erdelmeyer was a member of the Center Lodge No. 23 located in Indianapolis since 1857.

Assassination attempt In October 1900 Erdelmeyer was involved in a drugstore shooting by a patron named Frank Bohren while at his business located at 1020 College Avenue in Indianapolis. Bohren, operator at the American Press Association Office, had recently been involved in a divorce with his wife Vernic Fisher who consistently called Erdelmeyer's pharmacy so often that Erdelmeyer requested that she stop calling. Bohren, suspected Erdelmeyer and his wife of infidelity without further investigation and plotted to kill Erdelmeyer. Erdelmeyer died on October 16, 1926, in Indianapolis.